Expedited Hearings Process for ESD Unemployment Insurance Caseload

 

1.  What is an expedited hearing request?

You can request to expedite (speed up) the scheduling of your hearing if you have an urgent financial hardship.  This request is only for Employment Security Department (ESD) decisions.
 
An urgent financial hardship is when you cannot meet your basic expenses to allow you to live, work, or seek work.  Examples of financial hardship include being unable to pay for your housing, utilities, or transportation. 
 
If your request is granted, then your hearing will be scheduled as soon as possible.  If your request is denied, then your hearing will be scheduled as usual.
 

2.  What do I need to submit?

You must submit an affidavit (sworn statement) to the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) with information about your urgent financial hardship.  You must sign or submit the affidavit under penalty of perjury as detailed by RCW 9A.72.  This means that you could face criminal charges if you knowingly provide false information. You can fill out the affidavit online, or you can download and print the form and then send it to OAH.

Submit an Affidavit Online
Download and Print an Affidavit

In addition to the affidavit, you should submit documents that show your financial hardship, such as overdue bills for necessities (ex. rent, utilities) or notices of eviction or repossession.  If you cannot provide documents, then please explain why you cannot in your affidavit.  Your request is more likely to be denied if you do not provide documents or explain why you cannot provide them.

3.  How do I submit my request?

You can submit documents through the OAH participant portal at https://secureaccess.wa.gov/ or by fax at (509) 456-3980.  Please call our Call Center at (800) 583-8271 or visit our Manage My Case page if you need help with the participant portal.

4.  What happens after I submit my request?

An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will decide whether to grant or deny your request for an expedited hearing.  Not all requests will be granted.  A request will only be granted if the ALJ finds that you have an urgent financial hardship.  You cannot appeal an ALJ’s decision to grant or deny an expedited hearing request.

After you submit your request, then OAH will contact you within 4 business days with a decision.  Please do not contact OAH unless it has been more than 4 days since you submitted your request.  If it has been more than 4 days, then you can check the status by calling our Call Center at (800) 583-8271.